Give written guarantee for truce, Sami asks govt

NOWSHEHRA - Taliban-nominated committee member Maulana Samiul Haq on Saturday urged the government and Taliban to agree on a ceasefire ‘in the name of God’. He asked the government to give a written guarantee for truce, and said he would get the same from the Taliban.Talking to media in the city, Samiul Haq said that Taliban’s real issue with the government is its siding with imperial forces; claiming that issues of constitution, democracy and Sharia are not the bases of dispute between the government and Pakistani or Afghan Taliban. Maulana Samiul Haq said the enemies of Islam were not worried about generals of the army and leaders of the so-called “elected institutions” because they go hand in hand with the anti-Islamic forces such as US.He claimed that the west was afraid of the religious institutions and their curricula while denying the notion that the religious institutions are not spreading terrorism and extremism but spreading the Islamic message of peace and tolerance.Samiul Haq also urged the government not to bomb the ‘innocent civilians’ adding that bombing will lead to destruction instead of resolutionMeanwhile, despite a deadlock in peace talks, government and Taliban have resumed efforts to put the process back on track. According to sources, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali rang up JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq and others who could play a role in restoration of peace. In addition, Azam Tariq, a member of Taliban’s political council, is reported to have contacted Professor Ibrahim and expressed their willingness for ceasefire. But sources say that Taliban have sought assurance from government for safety of their jailed fighters. Sources add that ceasefire could be announced if two sides succeeding in evolving a consensus.